Obama’s Farewell Brings an End to an Era

U.S. President Barack Obama acknowledges the crowd as he arrives to deliver his farewell address in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., January 10, 2017. REUTERS/John Gress

After I moved to Chicago in 2003, I started covering a “skinny kid with a funny name.” Now he really wasn’t a kid at that time, but I was a mere 26 years old. I have seen the image in my mirror change and I have seen the man who became our President change as well with each image.

Last night was a fitting and emotional end to a chapter of my life which I will never forget.

David Axelrod slashes stache

Barack Obama strategist David Axelrod poses in Chicago April 25, 2008. John Gress/for The Washington Post

When I met David Axelrod in 2008 at Obama for America campaign headquarters I instantly wanted to photograph him in front of this iconic Obama image. I decided to light Axelrod with light similar to what was in the Obama portrait, only from the opposite side, to create symmetry and contrast all at the same time.

Its Obama!

Four years ago I photographed election night from a scissor lift on the President’s left, and this year was more of the same. However last time we seemed so far removed from the crowd, that I was in disbelief until the next day. Being there last night made me think of the last four years and it made me imagine what the next four years will bring.